“Auld Lang Syne” is a poem written in 1874 by Scottish poet Robert Burns and eventually set to the tune of a traditional Scottish dance.

Over and over again in the history of song, one finds that artists have created songs by setting new poetry to existing tunes.  This was done for “Good King Wenceslas,” “America the Beautiful,” “The Star-Spangled Banner,’ and Robert Burns did it to create the song we now know as “Auld Lang Syne.”

The Morgan Library in NYC has an exhibit about the history of favorite New Year’s Eve song, “Auld Lang Syne.”

The Morgan Library has created an “online” exhibit:

http://www.themorgan.org/exhibitions/online/AuldLangSyne/default.asp

“Auld Lang Syne” translates as something like “For old time’s sake…”

This compilation of Christmas songs includes, “Auld Lang Syne,”

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The Glorious Christmas Songbook
Compiled by Cooper Edens and Benjamin Darling
Illustrated by Various Artists

“Auld Lang Syne” (found in the book on p. 61), but I think this famous, ubiquitous and largely misunderstood song deserves its own Singable Picture Book, with such nice lyrics.

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AULD LANG SYNE
The Robert Burns version
with Scots words translated

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And days o’ lang syne!

For auld lang syne, my Dear,
For auld lang syne,
We’ll take a cup o’ kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.

We two have run about the hills,
And pulled the daisies fine;
But we’ve wander’d many a weary foot,
Since auld lang syne.

We two have paddled in the brook,
From mornin’ sun till dinnertime:
But seas between us broad have roar’d,
Since auld lang syne.

And there’s a hand, my trusty friend,
And give us a hand o’ thine;
And we’ll take a right goodwill draft,
For auld lang syne.

And surely ye’ll buy your pint‐cup,
And surely I’ll buy mine;
And we’ll take a cup o’ kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.

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PDF Lyric sheet provided by the Morgan Library:
http://www.themorgan.org/exhibitions/online/AuldLangSyne/AuldLangSyne.pdf

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A terrific segment about the song (and Morgan Library exhibit) was featured on CBS Sunday Morning, New Year’s Day 2012
Watch the video and read the article, here:
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-3445_162-57350701/raise-a-glass-to-the-song-auld-lang-syne/

You can also see the video on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sjln1pgABT8

Sing along (this video had lyrics, too, in original language),

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acxnmaVTlZA

Sing along with bagpipes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=to1xT93IlUI

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In the absence of a book all its own, you might enjoy singing the song while looking at some of the many vintage postcards (an a couple other printed items) which have used the old song’s sentiments.  Note the charming use of “Auld Lang Syne” to celebrate of holidays other than New Years (including Valentine’s Day, Halloween, and Thanksgiving) and pairing this song of friendship, love and longing with, “Forget-Me-Not,” flower illustrations:

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I couldn’t help myself and put a book together.  It’s such a lovely song of friendship and the vintage postcard images make such a good case for singing, “Auld Lang Syne” all year long.  Plus, kids will be singing this song their whole lives, so it make sense to help them learn the words and get a sense of what they are singing about.  I did leave out the final verse of the original poem, since it’s got a much more grown-up flavor to it, but the first two are perfect.

Auld Lang Syne
Poem by Robert Burns
Traditional Tune
Book Assembled by Emily Leatha Everson Gleichenhaus

To view or print this book, click here:
Auld Lang Syne for SBWE 

Even though it’s a little cheesy, I still really like this karaoke track for singing “Auld Lang Syne” with the book I made:
http://www.amazon.com/Auld-Lang-Syne-Karaoke/dp/B003SWY79W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1326657979&sr=8-1

This track is in a good key for singing and is humorously melodramatic enough to make what could be a maudlin song into something fun to sing.  Plus there is a rush of simulated bagpipes at the end to give it fun Scottish flavor.  The chorus is repeated thrice at the end, so kids can really enjoy knowing the words and singing along.

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1/26/2012
AULD LANG SYNE IN YOU’RE A GRAND OLD FLAG 

I have been singing “You’re a Grand Old Flag” with children for something like 3 years now, but never consciously noticed until today “You’re a Grand Old Flag” sports a line of music and lyric from ”Auld Lang Syne .”

Lyrics
YOU’RE A GRAND OLD FLAG
Words and Music by George M. Cohan

You’re a grand old flag,
You’re a high flying flag
And forever in peace may you wave.

You’re the emblem of
The land I love.
The home of the free and the brave.

Ev’ry heart beats true
‘neath the Red, White and Blue,
Where there’s never a boast or brag.

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
Keep your eye on the grand old flag.

(REPEAT)

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Related Posts

CHRISTMAS
A Collection of Singable Picture Books that celebrate CHRISTMAS!
http://singbookswithemily.wordpress.com/2010/11/28/singable-picture-books-for-christmas/

YOU’RE A GRAND OLD FLAG, A SINGABLE PICTURE BOOK
http://singbookswithemily.wordpress.com/2010/07/11/youre-a-grand-old-flag-a-singable-book/

AULD LANG SYNE IN YOU’RE A GRAND OLD FLAG
http://singbookswithemily.wordpress.com/2012/01/26/auld-lang-syne-in-youre-a-grand-old-flag/